Multi-graphics processor system and method for processing content communicated over a network for display purposes

Abstract

A system and method are provided including a first graphic processor in communication with a content source. In operation, the first graphics processor is adapted for processing content from the content source. Further included is a second graphics processor in communication with the first graphics processor utilizing a network. The second graphics processor is adapted for further processing the content for display purposes.

1. A system, comprising:
 a first graphics processor in communication with a content source, the first graphics processor for processing content from the content source and including a first plurality of modules situated on a first sole unitary semiconductor-based integrated circuit or chip forming the first graphics processor; and 
 a second graphics processor in communication with the first graphics processor via a network, the second graphics processor for further processing the content for display purposes and including a second plurality of modules situated on a second sole unitary semiconductor-based integrated circuit or chip forming the second graphics processor; 
 wherein a first amount of the processing performed by the first graphics processor is a reciprocal function of a second amount of the processing performed by the second graphics processor; 
 wherein the processing performed by the first graphics processor is dynamically adaptable based on feedback received at least one of the first plurality of modules of the first graphics processor from a transmitter, the transmitter in communication with the first graphics processor for transmitting the content over the network for receipt by a receiver in communication with the second graphics processor. 
 
     
     
       2. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first graphics processor and the second graphics processor includes a graphics processing unit. 
     
     
       3. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first graphics processor and the second graphics processor are asymmetrical. 
     
     
       4. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the network includes a wireless network. 
     
     
       5. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processing performed by the first graphics processor includes at least one of decryption, decompression, post-processing, multiplexing, processing that provides for error correction, packetization, graphics rendering, compositing, re-compression, and re-encryption. 
     
     
       6. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processing performed by the first graphics processor includes decryption, decompression, post-processing, multiplexing, processing that provides for error correction, packetization, graphics rendering, compositing, re-compression, and re-encryption. 
     
     
       7. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processing performed by the second graphics processor includes at least one of decryption, decompression, de-packetization, post-processing, de-multiplexing, compositing, and processing that provides for error correction. 
     
     
       8. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processing performed by the second graphics processor includes decryption, decompression, de-packetization, post-processing, de-multiplexing, compositing, and processing that provides for error correction. 
     
     
       9. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the content includes combined graphics data and video. 
     
     
       10. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the content includes separated graphics data and video. 
     
     
       11. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first graphics processor is integrated with a computer. 
     
     
       12. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second graphics processor is integrated with a display. 
     
     
       13. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first graphics processor is one of a plurality of graphics processors in communication with the content source for processing content from the content source and transmitting the content to the second graphics processor. 
     
     
       14. The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of graphics processors is a graphics processing unit (GPU). 
     
     
       15. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second graphics processor is one of a plurality of graphics processors in communication with first graphics processor via the network for further processing the content for display purposes. 
     
     
       16. The system as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising memory and a central processing unit in communication with the first graphics processor, and a display in communication with the second graphics processor. 
     
     
       17. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first graphics processor and the second graphics processor each include a different discrete graphics processing unit (GPU). 
     
     
       18. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is responsive to a change in available bandwidth and the first plurality of modules includes at least one of a re-compression module and a re-encryption module, such that if the transmitter detects a change in available bandwidth the transmitter instructs at least one of the re-compression module and the re-encryption module to utilize at least one of a more advanced compression algorithm and a more advanced encryption algorithm to accommodate the change in available bandwidth. 
     
     
       19. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of modules includes a multiplexer/error correction-related processing/packetization module such that if the content is to include graphics data and video in separate streams, one or more of the plurality of modules of the first graphics processor is skipped for bypassing to the multiplexer/error correction-related processing/packetization module, based on available bandwidth. 
     
     
       20. A sub-system, comprising:
 a first processor in communication with a second processor via a network, the first processor including a first plurality of modules situated on a first sole unitary semiconductor-based integrated circuit or chip forming a first graphics processor and the second processor including a second plurality of modules situated on a second sole unitary semiconductor-based integrated circuit or chip forming a second graphics processor; 
 wherein a first amount of processing performed by the first processor is a reciprocal function of a second amount of the processing performed by the second processor, and the first processor and the second processor are capable of video processing or graphics processing; 
 wherein the sub-system is operable such that the processing performed by the first processor is dynamically adaptable based on feedback received at least one of the first plurality of modules of the first processor from a transmitter, the transmitter in communication with the first processor for transmitting over the network to a receiver in communication with the second graphics processor. 
 
     
     
       21. A method, comprising;
 processing content from a content source utilizing a first processor, the first processor including a first plurality of modules situated on a first sole unitary semiconductor-based integrated circuit or chip forming a first graphics processor; 
 communicating the content from the first processor to a second processor via a network, the second processor including a second plurality of modules situated on a second sole unitary semiconductor-based integrated circuit or chip forming a second graphics processor; and 
 processing the content utilizing the second processor; 
 wherein the first processor and the second processor are capable of video processing or graphics processing; 
 wherein a first amount of the processing performed by the first processor is a reciprocal function of a second amount of the processing performed by the second processor; 
 wherein the processing performed by the first processor is dynamically adaptable based on feedback received at least one of the first plurality of modules of the first processor from a transmitter, the transmitter in communication with the first processor for transmitting the content over the network for receipt by a receiver in communication with the second processor.